Beats Headphones Guide to All the Models

If you’re looking for a headphone brand that’s just as stylish as it is committed to an impressive, bassy sound, then Beats by Dr. Dre could be the right choice for you. This brand has its roots in hip hop, and it’s now a part of the Apple family.

Beats models tend to be available in flashy color combinations that make a visual impact. They’re popular among students and young adults, thanks in part to their inclusion in Apple’s back-to-school education sales each fall.

Beats offers a wide range of models, and it can be a lot to keep track of. Below, we’ll overview the six wireless models currently on offer and then talk a bit about why you should protect your investment with an extended headphone warranty.

If you’re looking for a mid-range in-ear earphone with pizazz and functionality, Powerbeats are a great choice. The two earphones are connected by a sleek round cable, and that’s the only wire you’ll see. Despite the small profile, Powerbeats deliver up to 15 hours of listening time. They’re also sweat and water resistant, and the ear hooks are adjustable.

Powerbeats Pro takes everything you love about Powerbeats and makes the experience truly wireless. They are a decided aural improvement over, say, Apple’s Airpods, but they retain that same wireless freedom.

GQ calls them “simply the best workout earbuds out there” for their versatility and sweat resistance. Design-wise they are nearly identical to the Powerbeats, so if you loved Powerbeats, you’ll love the Pro variant. (And if you hated the feel of Powerbeats, you’ll hate these just as much.)

Both earbuds feature volume and track controls, giving you full control even in one-eared listening scenarios.

If you prefer an on-ear headphone, Beats’ flagship product is the Beats Solo Pro. These phones are on-ear, active noise cancelling headphones with some nice touches. Beats describes the sound on this model as both powerful and balanced.

Noise cancelling is great when you want it, but sometimes it’s better to hear more of the outside world. Beats Solo Pro gives you options. Transparency Mode lets in some – but not all – of that surrounding noise, and Extended Power mode lets it all in.

9to5Mac calls the Solo Pro the “biggest upgrade” since Apple acquired Beats, and they rave about Transparency Mode.

Another handy feature is Audio Sharing, which allows you to pair two sets of Beats or AirPods to a single iPhone, powered by the onboard Apple H1 chip.

The Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones are the midrange player at $200. They don’t have any active noise cancellation, but as a result they have far superior battery life. If you listen a lot in relatively quiet environments, the Solo3 Wireless may well be sufficient. But with the Beats Solo Pro sitting only $50 more expensive, it’s hard to recommend the Solo3. Everything except battery life is better with the Solo Pro.

Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones are larger in size and more powerful than the Solo3. For many, the over-ear size is both more comfortable and more pleasant to listen to than the on-ear. Of course, the larger size makes for higher manufacturing costs, and that’s part of the difference in price between the two.

Like the Solo3, Studio3 headphones feature a foldable design, quick-charge batteries and are available in a wide range of color combinations.

Unlike the Solo3, Studio3 headphones feature Active Noise Cancelling. They lack the breakout Transparency Mode feature of the Solo Pro, though. With Apple’s W1 chip, you get near-instant pairing with any Apple device, and with Class 1 Bluetooth you can keep listening even when you stray further from your phone.

An older, cheaper in-ear earphone, BeatsX has a quality sound and an acceptable form factor. But if you can afford them, you’ll likely enjoy Powerbeats or Powerbeats Pro much more.

Now that you know the differences between all the wireless Beats models available, you should be ready to make your choice. When you do, make sure to keep yourself safe from defects and accidental damage with a best in class headphones extended insurance from Upsie.

With an extended warranty from Upsie, your Beats headphones are protected from drops, water damage, and component failure, among other things. And with Upsie, you’ll get low, affordable prices with a small $25 deductible. That’s the same for either 2 or 3 years of coverage!

Ready to protect your Beats? Get started right away.